Bridgeport series 1 boss low gear

[Dholman]

I have a Bridgeport boss in the process of retrofitting I've got a vfd to control the spindle RPM was wondering if I need to put a switch on the low gear lever to let the acorn know that it is in low gear or can I just push the spindle low button on the vcp. Thanks

[ghack]

I am going to assume the acorn is like the servo3io i have. yes it needs a switch ti know its in low gear and also a parameter setting if i remember right. and the gear ratio for the speed to run correct. After 15 years of running mine i have never used low gear.

[Dholman]

I probably won't ever use low gear either unless for some reason I have a very large diameter tool that needs to be turned slow I will go ahead and wire up a switch thanks

[deanq]

No, you don't need a switch. I just use the hi/lo range push buttons.The setup instructions explain how to do it. I rarely use lo range, bit when I need it, I'm glad it's set up. You just have to remember to press lo range when you swap the lever .

[tblough]

Usually this is done with a NC closed limit switch wired to one of the inputs that shows when the back gear is engaged. Most Bridgeports have a 81T bull gear on the spindle, 26T Jackshaft gear, 63T jackshaft timing gear, and a 22T timing pulley on the spindle. This gives a 0.1120909 back gear ratio. This number needs to be entered into parameter P65 (Low Range Spindle Gear Ratio) with a negative sign in front of it to signify the spindle turns in reverse in back gear.

[ghack]

deanq, your still using a switch. I did mine almost exactly like the previous post. so its taken care of when you pop into low gear.

[deanq]

deanq, your still using a switch. I did mine almost exactly like the previous post. so its taken care of when you pop into low gear.

No I'm not. You CAN set it up to use a switch. I don't. I have to "push the button" to tell it that it's in lo range. Either way (obviously) works!

[Chaz]

I'm just about to get my Bridgeport up and running and noticed that the spindle reverses between low and high gear. Is there any ways to 'fix' this through software or do I need to do my CAM in a way that knows what gear Ill be operating in?

[cnckeith]

sure thing , there are several ways to do this.
what hardware and software are you running?

[Chaz]

sure thing , there are several ways to do this.
what hardware and software are you running?

Centroid Acorn and Fusion 360 for CAD / CAM.